Environment Committee to discuss report on water provision with New Era Project Minister

Committee chair Ciaran Lynch, TD said: “The Committee identified water supply as a priority and major concern and our report makes a number of important observations and recommendations on the issue of the supply, storage, provision, disposal and cost of water.

Among the key recommendations in our report are: that the new Irish water utility must remain in public ownership and must be accountable through the Oireachtas; a National Water Sector Framework Team should be established; and that the new Irish water utility should operate one charge which will be inclusive of all service costs. It also recommends that that the Register of Electors, combined with Personal Public Service numbers, should be used in the collection of data for the purpose of collecting water charges and that the ownership and maintenance of water meters should rest with the new Irish water utility.

Tomorrow, we will have an opportunity to discuss our report and its recommendations in-depth with the Minister responsible for New Era Project which will oversee the Government’s plans for water infrastructure and the new Irish water authority.

As a Committee we are aware that there are challenges in terms of planning for water supply, providing adequate infrastructure and meeting the costs of delivering and maintaining a water system. Our report aims to address these challenges and we are looking forward to meeting with the Minister to consider our observations and recommendations.”

This meeting with Minister O’Dowd will start at 2.15pm on Tuesday, 17th July, in Committee Room 4, Leinster House 2000.

Committee proceedings can be followed live at:
http://www.oireachtas.ie/ViewDoc.asp?fn=/documents/livewebcast/Web-Live.htm&CatID=83&m=o

For further information please contact:

Ciaran Brennan,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2

P: +3531 618 3903
M: 086-0496518
F: +3531 618 4551

Committee Membership

Joint Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht

Deputies: James Bannon TD (Fine Gael); Paudie Coffey TD (Fine Gael); Niall Collins TD (Fianna Fáil); Noel Coonan (Fine Gael) Leas-Chathaoirleach; Marcella Corcoran Kennedy TD (Fine Gael); Luke Flanagan TD (Independent); Kevin Humphreys TD (Labour); Ciarán Lynch TD (Labour) Cathaoirleach; Sandra Mc Lellan TD (Sinn Féin); Tony Mc Loughlin TD (Fine Gael); Michelle Mulherin TD (Fine Gael); Catherine Murphy TD (Independent); Gerald Nash TD (Labour); Brian Stanley TD (Sinn Féin); Robert Troy TD (Fianna Fáil).

Senators: Senator Cáit Keane (Fine Gael) Senator Denis Landy (Labour); An Seanadóir Fiach Mac Conghail (Neamhspleách); Senator Catherine Noone (Fine Gael); An Seanadóir Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fáil): Senator Ned O’Sullivan (Fianna Fáil).